"Wait, you mean I won't have to go back to Hogwarts?" Ron asked, a grin slowly
spreading across his face.
"No, no, we're opening the Auror training and taking into account your experience;
call it 'retroactive in-the-field training,'" the newly appointed Minister for Magic said with
a laugh.
"I'm in!" Ron shouted enthusiastically.
"I'm going back to Hogwarts for my N.E.W.T.s," Hermione whispered. "At
least... I think I might. I have things I need to take care of before then. Even so, I'd be a
terrible Auror. I'd much prefer to help you reformat the Wizengamot if that's at all
possible."
Kingsley inclined his head to her, clearly understanding her thinking. "Well,
whatever you decide, Hermione, I'll find something for you."
"Thank you, sir." Hermione smiled. "Minister."
Kingsley chuckled at the title, clearly not used to it yet. He then turned to Draco
and Sirius and smiled widely. "And the two of you?"
"Yeah," Draco scoffed sarcastically, the look on his face said he cared just as much
for this Minister for Magic as he had for the previous ones. "People are going to love the
idea of a former Death Eater out there keeping the streets safe for them. Let me know
when my property and vaults are restored, Shacklebolt, then we'll talk."
As Draco left the room, Kingsley chuckled. "He's a lot nicer than I'd imagined."
Sirius shrugged unapologetically. "He's half Black. We're very charming people."
"So what about it, Sirius? Wear the badge again?"
"Kings," Sirius said with a friendly smile, "if you can locate my old Auror badge, I
want you to take it, find Cornelius Fudge, and shove that badge right the fuck up his arse."
June 17th, 1998Despite having a home of their own, Remus, Tonks, and Teddy spent more time at
number twelve than they did at The Den these days. Only a month after the war, Remus
felt the need to stick as close to his family and pack as possible, and since Harry and